The US Men's National Team players say they 'understand and support' the USWNT's decision to appeal controversial equal pay lawsuit dismissal
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Meredith Cash
May 5, 2020, 03:17 IST
"The USMNT players continue to stand with the WNT players in their efforts to secure equal pay," the men's players association statement read.Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The US Men's National Team players have once again expressed their support for their female counterparts in their ongoing fight for equal pay.
The US Women's National Team sued US Soccer in a highly-publicized dispute over its alleged inequitable compensation and treatment compared to the men's team.
The US Women's National Team players have garnered mass support in their pursuit of equal pay from the US Soccer Federation.
But one group's outspokenness in favor of the USWNT may strike casual followers of the lawsuit as counterintuitive.
The US Men's National Team — which has been the counterpoint to the women throughout the case — broke its silence on equal pay and gender discrimination back in February, calling for their female counterparts to make "at least triple what their expired deal was worth in player compensation."
"The USMNT players continue to stand with the WNT players in their efforts to secure equal pay," the statement read. "For a year and a half the USMNT players have made proposals to the Federation that would achieve equal pay for the USMNT and USWNT players. We understand the WNT players plan to appeal last week's decision and we support them."
"Tell the Federation's sponsors you will not support them until the Federation starts doing the right thing and gives the women a new CBA that pays a fair share of the gate receipts and that television and sponsorship revenue to the players," the statement read. "Write to your Congressional representatives and tell them it is time to reform the Federation. Let the Federation know that you do not believe the false narrative they are circulating."
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"Support the players, not the Federation," the men's players association added.
Another, smaller aspect of the USWNT's complaint is still in play despite the national team's huge setback Friday evening. In addition to their chief grievance of unequal pay, the women also claimed to have received inferior travel accommodations and medical support services compared to their male counterparts. A judge will still hear arguments on the topic in a trial set for June 16 in Los Angeles.
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